I Choose a Second Team USA (Not Including Anyone Named to 4-Nations)

[@levicourville]

The hockey talent in America has greatly increased over the years. 10-20 years ago, you wouldn't have been able to make a USA #2 team.

[@tripsaplenty1227]

could have 10 years ago, maybe not 20, definitely not 30

[@JPMadden]

As a New Englander, I can tell you that Bobby Orr is the person most responsible for this.

[@darnit2020]

Phil Kessel

[@BradleyDDY]

C is for cookie that’s good enough for me

[@tarpsoff57]

He’s not under contract and not on an NHL roster. Both required to be selected😊

[@darnit2020]

@@tarpsoff57 he’s the GOAT. Rules don’t apply to the Thrill

[@notthatfriendly596]

Snubbed from the Snubbed team.. shameful

[@salamander8567]

@@tarpsoff57☝️🤓

[@aepochbrett]

Surprised you don't have DeBrincat on your second team. He has more production than several guys in the top 6

[@JoelER78]

YES

[@UnbiasedHomer]

You should make a video about a roster for each province and how’d they’d do in a tournament against each other

[@brAnd7onX87]

Honorable mentions Luke Hughes and John Gibson for team #2.

[@jsullivan5823]

I like these kinda videos! Thanks again man!

[@mbertrand]

A Canada/USA B team would still be competitive in this tournament. So much talent!

[@AgAg-yn3cv]

I didn’t realize how many of these players are American, a lot of them subconsciously I thought were Canadian.

[@jonmendelson1104]

Vlasic's the one who I always forget is American. His cousin on the Sharks is Canadian so I incorrectly just assumed he was as well, and even though I've heard it a few times it never sticks.

[@fubartotale3389]

Vlasek is a local Chicago kid, from Wilmette Il.

[@goaliecoachmike]

Pickles!!

[@louscannon7493]

that's because, all Canadian's look the same, like hockey players

[@InsignificantNick]

It is pretty wild that the 4 winningest goalies in NHL history are from Quebec.

[@SverigeiSverige]

The 4 with the most losses...?

[@MarkCMG]

Thanks for the video! The USA alt team is, indeed, tougher to find real depth for than for an alt team Canada. I really hope we don't see any injuries on the back of this tourney.

[@shawnerickstad6974]

USA 2nd team has plenty depth and surprised some of these guys not on the top team

[@ronbosshogg]

A great list for a 2nd team. Wondering if DeBrincat was anywhere near making it. Could be my bias showing, but I think he'd be good in that top six

[@people3865]

He's done basically nothing since leaving the hawks. I wouldn't even have him on the team.

[@timliddy1]

@@people3865and you’re ok with Caufield with that statement?!?

[@JoelER78]

@@people3865 he's a point per game player on the Wings.

[@people3865]

@@JoelER78 Which isn't in the upper echelon of players, nor is it the 40g guy he once was

[@Brandon_Wallis]

I feel like Brett Pesce should have been considered. He’s like a Chris Tanev where his defense heavily out weighs his offense but good defense always leads to good offensive opportunities for the star forwards.

[@JoelER78]

Yes, he should be at least on Team 2. If their #1 Team D wasn't so deep he would have made the team. He for sure makes the Team 2 on the first pairing as the shut down guy (plays with Ghost? Ghost shouldn't really play in this tournament because his defensive play isn't good enough).

[@andylincoln5652]

THG, I'd love to see you attempt to cobble together another team Finland and Sweden.

[@vipeholmskolan6052]

Sweden could rack up a decent 2nd d core at least. But other than that, it will be pretty meh.

[@JM-gj7de]

TEAM USA "B" Caufield - Thompson - Keller Robertson - Mittelstadt - Boeser Cooley - Norris - Debrincat Knies - Beniers - Tuch Lafferiere Sanderson - Carlson Vlasic - Jones L. Hughes - Pesce Hutson Demko Stolarz Woll

[@JoelER78]

Beniers? Do you mean Ross Colton? He is good, if healthy, a good choice. Mittelstadt on wing (he can't win face-offs). Garland and Tuch have to make it on forward (Tuch should be on the 1st team instead of Kreider) Jones who? Vlasic who? (joking, but, they shouldn't be on this team) What, you left off so many good players. Who is Wool? Sanderson is not a great pick either... D: Anderson (or very out of box Samberg; although he is not as good, for chemistry purposes)-- Pionk (can play PP) Carlson (PP) -- Jensen Ghost (PP specialist) -- Pesce Hutson -- Vlasic (not sure who I would choose) Others: T. Harley could easily make this team too!

[@jkliao6486]

I think when John Carlson retired. We are not just gonna talk about how he's never won a norris trophy, but rather how he's never getting any recognition whatsoever. But hey, more rest for the old guys, I'm not complaining as a Caps fan :)

[@tripsaplenty1227]

Just like Backstrom.

[@michaelandrew8493]

Tage Thompson should have been on team USA. He's a beast goal scorer

[@TurdFerguson92]

The way Luke Hughes is playing theres a good chance he makes the Olympic team along with his brothers

[@Tellehahsghsbbs]

Team North America is my Roman Empire. I’m miss how fun that tournament was. What a team that was

[@brettrossi034]

It's basically a cheat code team 😂 so many elite talents to pick from with Canada and USA combined into one

[@invsibl_monstrs]

Nice to see Laferriere up there. I think he's been a really pleasant surprise this year.

[@andyholland2130]

I'd personally would take Palmeri out for Logan Cooley, especially since Cooley actually plays center.

[@sean008]

I think Luke Hughes makes the Olympic team and should probably be the 7th D on the first team. (Only because of Carlson’s age) Kind of curious if he was just forgotten here as he should be a definite for the second team.

[@TheHockeyGuy]

He is fifth in ice time among Devils defensemen. There's no reason to put him on this team.

[@sean008]

Interesting, he’s averaging more TOI than Gostisbehere (who should be on this second team) and according to moneypuck’s model is 17th among all Defensemen in xG/60, but I’d say his defensive play has been the best part of his game this year. I have Devils bias and I know you’re high on them, so I guess more of my point is I think a lot of people have kind of missed how good Luke has been partly due to 1) starting the season injured 2) low point totals and 3) the Devils D is phenomenal as a whole this year (thanks Keefe). Thanks for the reply!

[@TheHockeyGuy]

He gets less ice time than Kovacevic. Seriously, I could not justify Luke on the team over Ghost who has been a scoring machine over the years. I wouldn't be surprised to see Luke on the 2026 US Olympic team though.

[@krizlad]

Even as a Habs fan I'm floored you think Hudson deserves to be on USA 2 but not Luke Hughes?

[@TheFusionmix]

The injury fear is real. I'm very happy for Oettinger and Heiskanen and Lindell but I will be holding my breath too. I really don't like these random extra games in the middle of the season.

[@ethanlangille5499]

All I’ll say is we might be lucky russia doesn’t have a team. Sorokin,Shesterkin and vasilevskiy as your 3 goalies is kinda nuts lol.

[@aZebruh]

Saw a Canada version of this on X. Was looking for a US one with no luck, and them bam the best source i can imagine! 😅more fun ideas like this and redrafts. Definitely the Russia and ROW team. Maybe like a Euro mix team without the big countries, i.e Draisaitl + Timo M

[@steamr0ll]

I really like this type of hypothetical thing, as you say it just for fun!

[@Your_Role_Model]

I don’t see a single Panthers player. We have 8 participating already, it’s simply not enough. We are so slept on , underrated, overlooked… you get the idea

[@Pilsnerenjoyer]

Bryan Rust

[@nathanrasely7903]

Considering Quinn Hughes is only 25 having Jake Sanderson, Luke Hughes, Alex Vlasic and Lane Hutson on the left side is nasty.

[@vipeholmskolan6052]

Pretty decent team.

[@YesNo-qr4id]

Little thing but Palmieri is a winger, great video though I think he's a good second team choice

[@gamingintrospection]

He's listed as a Centre. I'm not saying he doesn't play the vast majority on the wing, but there's still a 'C' in his roster listing.

[@YesNo-qr4id]

@@gamingintrospection yeah, I see the NHL website has him listed as a center for some reason. He's been on the wing of Brock Nelson all year and was on the wing of Nelson last year. No harm done.

[@bostonwarrior4824]

Shocked Brady Skjei didn’t make it. That just goes to show how much he’s overpaid. I mean I thought he is a pretty good defenseman

[@jeffanderson3962]

The point about players not getting injured is where Im at. Other than maybe the Olympics, Im not sure I'd be that excited about having anyone from my favorite team selected.

[@cruggs0730]

Luke Hughes has been pretty unbelievable on both ends of the ice this season I'm surprised you didn't pick him

[@adamlegge4350]

Love the garland pick

[@Tyfiter]

Am I wrong in thinking Jacob Chycrun is American? I would take him over a few of the D-men listed, plus he’s played with Carlson and been really good

[@CoolHandRobb]

Mikey Anderson is having a nice season.

[@ryanlitster8993]

They should have the second roster from each team play in a mini tournament.

[@EdwardVamp]

Making teams Slovaks&Czechs and Swiss with Germans would certainly be an interesting video!

[@Briscoe-RL]

I still can't believe Thompson and Caufield didn't make the main roster.

[@RRaquello]

Daccord could play for Canada, I guess, but let's face it, he's purely a US product. Boston High School, USHL, American college, born in the US, no part of his hockey development was in Canada. If he played for Canada it would be purely as a ringer. The US used to have to do that, like when Tony Esposito played for the US team at the Canada Cup, but Canada's the country of hockey and shouldn't have to resort to it.

[@TH1RDP3RSON]

its crazy to me how there are atleast 10 USA goalies who would immediately be number one for Canada

[@Gtunes39]

I guess I'm in the minority that liked the Team Europe from the WCH; great players who couldn't be there otherwise and it prevented some blowout games if there had been these countries that don't have the depth of bigger nations.

[@beneasler8868]

I'd love to see what Russia would look like! Kucherov, Panarin, and Kuprizov on the same team would be scary. As long as they have some support to defend for them...

[@brianmacsorley1953]

Chychrun is another dual citizenship guy that I feel is close, thoughts on him?

[@brianruppel9032]

No Debrincat??

[@Ryyder64]

Ypu could potentially make an argument for Luke Hughes here

[@mattgardiner744]

It is worth nothing that the Czechs and Slovaks weren’t exactly enthused to be in one country together nor did they come together of their own volition

[@christhornycroft3686]

Boeser, Garland and Caulfield all should have been added. Nobody's going to outwork Garland, and Boeser and Caulfield are snipers.

[@MbisonBalrog]

Why Sanderson or Hutson? Too green. Pesce, or TVR (Trevor Van Riemsdyk)

[@clydeblair9622]

You know how to have fun.

[@petervandixhoorn8407]

What about Chychrun or Roy on defence theyve been really good number one team in the league

[@grahamdamberger7130]

If the NHL could, there's enough players to do a Canada (Red), Canada (Black), USA (Red), and USA (Blue). If there's enough Russians in the league when they are allowed into this tournament, maybe the same thing as the USA. A Czechoslovakian team would be something as well.

[@SverigeiSverige]

Canada White

[@grahamdamberger7130]

@@SverigeiSverige This was assuming every team wore a white jersey for when they're the road team.

[@f.n04]

As a Sens fan I would in fact replace Sanderson with Jensen

[@mattl2642]

The alex debrincat snub....poor guy can't even make the alternate team 😂😅

[@ben_cross21]

TJ Oshie snubbed from the snubbed team wow (just a joke, but Oshie will always be the USA legend)

[@NobuhikuObayashi]

Rusty!

[@jacp5628]

I think they should have carried over a Team Europe and Team North America. Team Europe for all the non-Swede and non-Finn European NHLers, and Team North America for a combined Canada/USA roster of all the snubs from Teams USA and Canada.

[@danreed2189]

I probably would have Jacob Trouba and Alex Dabrincat on my second team

[@Sethstrat]

I swear some of the haters in the comments will never be pleased

[@VGK702]

Sadly that's just how the Internet/world is now

[@SomeFrenchDude]

There's literally not a single ''hater'' in the comments.

[@KevbotFalconhammer]

Who do you think would win between your hypothetical Canada B vs USA B teams? I feel like USA A has a slight edge over Canada A, but I think Canada clearly has the better of the B teams.

[@freedom_fighter4317]

Chelios, Modano, Roenick and Hull all belong on the second team.... along with Gerry O'Flaherty

[@lisamazur7673]

Nic Jensen...like...former capital player Nic Jensen? Whaaaaat.

[@tylertoestoes]

This is still keeping Quick and Gibson out of the lineup which is insane

[@matthewkilbride1669]

Poor Zegras isn’t even mentioned as a second team snub

[@Kaspian1828]

Just do a russia and a rest of Europe. It's more interesting when there are more to choose from. And It's hypotetical any way. Thx for Great content!

[@clydeblair9622]

How did Y let Goose go?

[@ZebraMan62]

Would this team make the playoffs

[@Razahoo7]

no debrincat?

[@oliverphilipp8523]

There’s this guy, Thatcher Demko!

[@TheHockeyGuy]

Hasn't played a game this season and may never be truly 100% again.

[@oliverphilipp8523]

@@TheHockeyGuy Fair, but he has the pedigree! These next few weeks will tell us a lot. Thanks for all you do Mr. Hockey Guy! You'll never just be Mr. Silly Hockey Guy on the internet to me 🧡

[@FrankSuffern]

the question is, could 2nd Team USA beat 1st team Canada? hehe

[@thefutureofsoccer5226]

Thought Kane would sneak onto this team

[@tarpsoff57]

No Thatcher Demko eh?

[@stephenstill9487]

Carlson should be on the real USA team. big snub

[@andyholland2130]

Whose spot does he take?

[@thefish560]

Quebec junior system has been mistreated for around 25 years now. Hence why there is only one or two player (might be 0) from quebec on the world juniors team and why Montembeault is the only quebec pick for team Canada. I feel like Quebec borns have to work 3 time as hard as any other hockey nation if they wanna stay in the nhl, due to lack of quality development.

[@robertkraljii5048]

Bathers on.

[@jacoblewis6616]

I'll admit, I am biased. But, where are Knies and Woll?

[@sukhpreetsingh4488]

make a team russia video

[@briinx]

I would love to see a thg russian team as well. I am not sure if you would do so given the obvious political side. Although I think if we are just talking hockey I feel like it should be okay.

[@kubelajs6587]

Make those teams russia and Czechoslovakia please ❤

[@SIMON_WAS_H3RE]

You should do a Russia team to

[@BDawgStudio]

Would be nice to see an "others" team. All other nations.

[@joshuaburke5674]

Terry, Gibson

[@iliaponomarev1624]

Team Holy Roman Empire (Germany, Austria, Czechia, Slovakia and Kopitar)

[@maxtereleven]

I'd like to see that team - made up of everyone else not on Canada, USA, Finland or Sweden.

[@christopherkuzek9816]

i want ice cream

[@clydeblair9622]

A Russian expat team would be interesting. The goalies!

[@fubartotale3389]

Luke Richardson whacked

[@Badnercalabrese]

Please do a Team Russia. It's the opposite of Canada. Too many wingers and goalies to select - no center depth at all.

[@JevonSwallow]

Canada 2 would stomp USA 2, who’s gonna get the puck out of Americas corner with Tom Wilson bearing down on them? Pionk? Sanderson? Carelson? Canada would dump and chase them into a 4-0 win

[@Ck69420]

Where’s patty kane

[@fubartotale3389]

Vlasik isn't quite that tall...

[@bostonwarrior4824]

Pat maroon snubbed

[@humblelad]

Kane or DeBrincat could easily make a team 2

[@robertkraljii5048]

Drake Batherson

[@brandonsmith5488]

Spoiler alert- it’s all Defensmsan

[@jacklaw3962]

Who?

[@jasonkashefi8241]

Do a Russia team!

[@kieranperreaultdit-morin9262]

Team Germanic (Swiss German Austrian)

[@Adam_Mitch]

Bryan Rust snubbed : (